Devil on a Harley (2018) - Chapter 4
"Ordeal"
Jessica sat by the full length window of Yoona's Jeju hotel suite, listening attentively as Tiffany Hwang, their editor, conducted her interview with the personable actress.
She was also quietly observing Yuri, as the photographer went about snapping pictures of the actress from various angles.
Earlier, when Tiffany had introduced Yoona to Yuri, Jessica noted a tinge of nervousness on Yoona's face, as the actress was caught unawares, obviously much surprised at seeing her ex-lover again. After all, they had been in a relationship for years and it wasn't as if you could just, with a snap of your fingers, forget someone like Kwon Yuri.
Yuri, on the other hand, had just bowed politely during the rounds of introduction, generally avoiding direct eye contact with the actress. Not once did she show any signs of recognition, and Jessica thought she was a better actress than Yoona. Indeed, the photographer went about busying herself with setting up the lighting equipment, with assistance from her sidekick, Hyoyeon, ignoring all the hoo-ha surrounding the actress.
The interview session went smoothly and ended without incident.
Next, the magazine crew got ready for the indoors photo shoot.
After getting the actress dressed to the nines in designer togs, face made up to perfection, and hair teased into place, they were finally ready. The shoot took place in various locations within the hotel.
Jessica watched as Yuri occasionally gave directions in monotone, accompanied by a deadpan expression, as to how Yoona should pose to get the most visually satisfying shots out of her camera.
The two were so professional in their chosen fields of work that Jessica was secretly amazed. One seemed to only care about getting the best shots for the magazine, while the other was an actress through and through.
To think they were once lovers.
Jessica shook her head in disbelief.
*
While waiting for Yoona to get a change of clothes and her make-up touched up, there was the photographer sitting in a corner of the massive hotel foyer, looking grim.
Walking over and settling down next to Yuri, Jessica handed her a bottle of water.
"Penny for your thoughts," the art director said.
"My thoughts don't come cheap," Yuri replied, taking a sip of water.
"Meaning I should bloody well mind my own business? Okay, I get the drift. Anyway, only wanted to say you're doing fine...so far."
"I am?" Yuri turned to look at the blonde with a pained expression. "You have no idea the hell I'm going through. Did you see how she acted as if it's the first time she's meeting me, this nugu photographer?"
"What do you expect her to do, then? Hug and kiss you and let the whole world know you were once an item?" Jessica patted Yuri's shoulder. "It'll be okay. We're wrapping up soon for the day. There's only an outdoors shoot left for tomorrow and, hopefully, you'll never have to see her again. Out of sight, out of mind, like they say?"
Yuri smiled for the first time that day.
Although it was rather forced, and kind of melancholic, still, it was enough to have Jessica mesmerised.
She hadn't been all too sure, but Jessica realised then and there that she could have already fallen in a big way for this devilishly-attractive girl with a past.
Forsooth, she had landed herself in a quagmire, and there was little chance of getting herself out.
*
The next day dawned bright and clear-the sky cloudless, the ocean an azure blue, the sand, pristine white.
Sites picked for the shoot included Jeongbang Waterfall, Jungmun Beach and the Teddy Bear Museum, to name a few.
Wherever they went, holidaymakers stopped and gaped. To be more specific, they were gawking at the Goddess-esque Yoona. Fans surged forward to get autographs. The amicable actress obliged with nary a grumble, until her manager, with help from Tiffany and Sunny, drove them away as they were hampering with the progress of the shoot.
As with the day before, the two protagonists in question acted as if they were just photographer aiming to shoot perfect pictures, and actress modelling for a fashion magazine. Nothing more, nothing less. Jessica noticed that they stayed purposefully out of each other's way.
They finally wrapped the shoot at sundown.
*
In the evening, they hosted a dinner in honour of the actress, to thank her for gracing their magazine, and to celebrate the successful completion of the project.
However, Yoona excused herself before the end of the evening, citing a migraine, and left.
It was also around this time that Jessica noticed that Yuri was nowhere to be seen.
As the night was still young, some of the staff decided to hit the town, raring to paint it red.
Jessica, who had no intention of letting herself get dragged away to a rowdy sing-n-drink-till-drunk session in a noraebang, made her way back to the room she shared with Sunny. Not wanting to hang around to listen to Sunny's cringeworthy phone conversation with her boyfriend, she stepped out to the balcony for a breath of fresh air.
Leaning against the railings, Jessica took in a deep breath. She could smell the salt from the ocean. She could also hear the sound of the waves as they lapped against the shore. Cicadas sang a repetitive tune from nearby trees.
Her room was on the eighth floor, overlooking the large freeform pool. Looking down, she caught sight of two familiar figures standing by the edge of the pool. The pool was closed, but even under dim lighting, Jessica could still make out who they were-no prizes for guessing. Although they weren't audible from where she was, it was quite clear to her that they were squabbling.
And so it was that the spectator from her vantage point had unintentionally become witness-albeit a reluctant one-to an altercation.
Jessica witnessed Kwon Yuri holding Im Yoona by the shoulders, shaking her roughly.
Then, there was Yoona elbowing Yuri out of the way. And as the actress turned to go, Jessica saw Yuri grabbing her wrist to prevent her from leaving.
Breaking loose of Yuri's grip, Yoona stormed off, leaving her ex standing on her own.
From where she stood as silent observer, Jessica looked down from the balcony to the heartwrenching sight of the photographer's lone, forlorn figure sitting hunched up on a deck chair, face hidden in hands.
Awww...geez...I didn't just see all that?
Feeling like an intruder, and wishing she hadn't caught the disturbing scene that had just moments ago unfurled before her, Jessica yearned to reach out to Yuri, wanting to hold and comfort her.
Gotta fucking do something.
Opening the mini fridge, she swept up the two bottles of soju there, and made her way down to the pool.
*
Stepping up to Yuri as she quietly made her approach, Jessica greeted in a soft voice, "Hey there."
"What are you doing here?" The photographer's tone was gruff, sparing little effort in letting Jessica know she was encroaching upon her privacy, and hence, unwelcome.
Ignoring Yuri's less than friendly demeanour, Jessica held up the two bottles of soju. "Oh, just looking for someone to share this with."
"I could use some of that." Yuri was instantly agreeable.
Jessica gave the bottle cap a twist, but it refused to budge.
Impatient for a drink that could be the be-all and end-all of her frustrations, Yuri snatched the bottle from her. "Here, let me do it."
The bottle cap came off effortlessly with a slight twist.
"My, aren't you strong?" Jessica teased, pinching the photographer's toned biceps gingerly with her thumb and index. "Tell me, are you the one who wears the pants in all your other relationships?"
Already in a dark mood, Yuri did not take kindly to that seemingly harmless question, displeased that Jessica Jung seemed to have some pre-formed idea about her, or misconception about lesbian relationships in general. Just because I got that fucking cap open? Sheer ignorance. However, she could hardly blame Jessica. After all, it was commonly, and usually wrongly, presumed by most not in the know, that one party was expected to take on the masculine role.
Yuri took a gulp of soju, then spat, "WHAT other relationships? I've only ever had ONE."
Jessica was taken aback by the outburst. On her part, it was merely an innocent question, intended more to lighten up the heavy mood surrounding them than to slight. Perhaps she still had a long way to go in learning about lesbian subculture.
"Whoa...easy...easy....no need to get all worked up." Then very cautiously, "Uhm, I saw the two of you just now?"
Eyes narrowed, Yuri took another swig. "You saw us fighting?"
"Oh, was that what you were doing? Fighting?"
Yuri took yet another swig-a long one. "You were spying on us?"
"Are you daft? I just happened to be looking down from my balcony and saw you guys." Jessica saw that Yuri was drinking way too fast for her liking. "Hey. HEY...will you go easy on that? You'll be drunk in no time."
"That's the whole idea. Get drunk and then sleep it off."
"And get the shittiest hangover in the morning? Get this-I didn't bring this down here so you could get drunk. Everything in moderation, okay?"
Jessica tried to grab the bottle back, but Yuri was too fast for her. Quick as lightning, the taller one stood up, holding the bottle high above her head, out of the shorter's reach.
"Just let me be. I'm better off whacked." Speech slightly slurred by now, Yuri downed what was left of the distilled rice brew while the blonde looked on helplessly.
Then, the photographer caught sight of the other bottle of soju sitting on the ground, but before she could reach it, Jessica got to it first.
"Oh no, you don't." Jessica embraced that second bottle tightly in her arms.
"Gimme it."
In a desperate bid to wrench the bottle out of those arms, Yuri pounced on Jessica, causing her to tumble backwards onto the grass verge, and she, herself, falling atop the blonde.
Heavily pinned down, cheeks pressed against each other's, Jessica could feel the photographer's alcohol breath, warm, on her face. Bewildered, her heart raced, quite ready to burst, when she realised Yuri's lips were brushing against the corner of her own.
"Mmmfff....will you get off me, you clumsy idiot..." Jessica somehow managed to regain enough composure to say, as she tried to push Yuri away with one hand, while the other was still hanging on tightly to that wretched bottle of soju.
But the photographer refused to budge.
"Dammit, Yuri...get off me! You weigh a ton! Here, take it... get pissed...see if I care!" Surrendering, Jessica handed over the bottle.
Emerging victorious, and grabbing the bottle, Yuri hovered above Jessica, making an attempt to sit up. Her head was reeling and she felt sick, the effects of the potent brew which she had downed much too quickly already starting to take its toll on her. She unscrewed the bottle cap, and with an unsteady hand, raised the bottle to her mouth and took a long swig.
GLUG, GLUG, GLUG.
"Fuck." Yuri's head was spinning, her face flushed crimson.
The bottle slipped out of her grasp and fell to the ground, its contents spilling out and seeping into the grass.
She heard Jessica's concerned voice asking, "Yuri, are you all right?"
And then the photographer swooned, collapsing onto the blonde once again.
*
Summoning the help of a hotel employee who happened to be passing by, Jessica managed to bring a very drunk Yuri back to her room.
Hyoyeon was not there, having tagged along with the party-till-drop noraebang crowd.
Somehow, the petite blonde managed to half-drag, half-carry Yuri into the bathroom, where she watched in total disgust as the drunkard prayed to the porcelain god, heaving and emptying the contents of her stomach into the toilet.
Silently blaming herself for Yuri's predicament, Jessica pulled the photographer up, shoved her into the shower, and then viciously turned the faucet on full blast.
"What the fuck- " Yuri let out a feeble moan as she felt the cold water hitting her face hard, and in a matter of seconds, she was completely drenched. As she tried to straighten up, she slipped and would have hit her head against the wall had Jessica not seen it coming, swiftly cushioning it with her hand.
Jessica then dragged the drunkard out of the shower, throwing a towel over her.
"Sorry, but I'm only trying to get you cleaned up and sober. Come on, let's get you out of those wet togs before you catch your death of cold. You're an absolute mess."
Indeed, Kwon Yuri was NOT a sight to behold-damp hair hung limp over flushed face, while wet clothes clung like a second layer of skin.
Supporting a still very intoxicated and terribly heavy Yuri who was slumped over her shoulders, Jessica inched her way out of the bathroom. Approaching the bed, she tripped over Yuri's legs and the duo toppled over onto it; this time, Yuri's body was crushed beneath the blonde's.
"Gerroff..."
Jessica blushed when she saw where her hands were-pressed against Yuri's breasts.
This is no time to have inappropriate thoughts, Jessica. Now get the fuck off!
Rolling off of Yuri, Jessica proceeded to pull that wet T-shirt off.
"No...don't...." Yuri protested feebly, feeling the garment being tugged over her head. She tried to get up but Jessica pushed her back down.
"Oh, shut up," Jessica snapped.
The T-shirt came off and a pair of decent-sized breasts encased in a black bra came into view.
Bra...get rid of the bra. It's soaked through.
Hands reached behind. Feeling around that tanned back, it suddenly dawned on Jessica that it was a front-clasp bra. Slapping Yuri's protesting hands away, and fumbling a bit, the troublesome piece of material finally came off.
Jessica gulped, trying hard not to stare.
Fucking rude to stare, especially when she's drunk and defenceless, but where am I supposed to look if those titties are staring me right in the eye? I can't help it if she's a veritable Goddess.
Remembering her mission, Jessica averted her gaze, targeting Yuri's shorts.
She unzipped them, and proceeded to tug them off with fierce determination, smacking Yuri's butt when she again protested. The shorts came off, revealing a black thong, together with a totally delectable pair of butt cheeks.
Her own cheeks a bright tinge of pink by now, Jessica decided that the miniscule piece of cotton should stay. Although Kwon Yuri was completely at her mercy, she'll just let the poor creature retain that last bit of dignity.
She is, after all, a Goddess.
Jessica found a bathrobe and quickly helped the photograher into it.
Glad that her ordeal was over, Yuri fell back against the pillow, her head woozy, and instantly fell asleep.
Pulling the sheets over the out-like-a-light drunk, Jessica leaned over, sweeping several strands of damp hair off of Yuri's face, stroking her cheek, fleeting fingers tracing that chiselled jawline.
No longer able to defend her stand on not taking advantage of a girl in a drunken state, Jessica eventually gave in to temptation.
Ever so lightly, she brushed her lips against Yuri's.
I'm not exactly sure what happened between you and Yoona just now, but you have to let go, Yuri, and move on. For now, sleep tight...don't let the bed bugs bite.
Jessica switched off the lights and let herself out, closing the door gently behind her.
*
Thankfully, the plane was only half full for the flight back to Seoul.
Once they were airborne, Yuri moved to the back of the plane where she hogged a row of seats all to herself.
Donning a ball cap pulled low over her face and a pair of aviators to shield her bloodshot eyes, Yuri stretched out her legs along the seats, head still pounding, trying to recall the previous night's happenings-
Bumping into Yoona, having a lovers'...no...EX-lovers' fight by the pool.
The blonde appearing with the soju.
Getting totally whacked after drinking the soju.
Puking her guts out, getting a shower fully-clothed...and then, what?
Waking up with a splitting headache, wearing a bathrobe with literally nothing else underneath, save for a tiny piece of triangle that was her knickers.
Someone stripped me. Hyoyeon said it wasn't her. Then...who?
The question reverberated in Yuri's head.
Oh, fuck fuck fuck...Jessica Jung?
Speak of the devil.
A blonde head suddenly popped up from the row of seats behind, startling the photographer.
"Oh hello, didn't realise you were in front of me." Said blonde head flashed Yuri a bright smile. "And how are we feeling today?"
If there was one person Yuri wanted banished away forever to Timbuktu-any fuckin' where would be fine so long as she's out of my sight- it would be that entity behind her, especially after having put her through that embarrassing ordeal the previous night.
"Oh, go away. Shoo." Yuri groaned, giving Jessica Jung an offhanded wave. "You're the last person I want to see."
"But why is that?"
"You have some nerve to ask." Face covered in hands. "I'm embarrassed enough as it is."
"Because I saw you naked?" Jessica taunted.
"Stop." Yuri wagged a warning finger.
"I can't believe you're actually shy. Hey, we're both girls." Jessica was enjoying this. "I have what you have."
"That's besides the point."
"Then what IS the point exactly?"
"The point is you got me drunk, forced me to take a shower fully-clothed, and then mercilessly stripped me."
"Oh wow...did I do all that? But I did tell you to go easy on the soju, no? Never mind...I'm a badass, then."
"Badass nothing. You're a sadist AND a pervert. Just run along now. I have a major headache." Yuri squeezed her eyes shut, as if by doing that, that blonde blob would-POOF-disappear.
Reaching for her bag, Jessica soon produced a bottle of some pale yellowish concoction.
"I got the hotel staff to specially make this for you." She thrust the bottle into Yuri's hand.
Yuri eyed it suspiciously, shaking it a little. "What is this shit?"
"Lemon juice with honey. Great shit for hangovers. Drink up." Jessica scratched her nose, something she always did whenever she was feeling apologetic about things. "Listen, I'm really sorry if you thought I stripped you of your dignity, okay? But know that my intentions were entirely honourable."
"Hmm." Try harder, why don't you? Yuri wasn't exactly convinced but the lemon with honey was a thoughtful gesture, and she was touched. She took a sip.
"And I promise I won't breathe a word to anyone about last night."
"You'd better not."
"Friends?"
"I'll think about it."
And they did a fist bump.
An impish glint in her eye, Jessica grinned, " By the way, I've been dying to tell you this-"
"This better be good."
"Your body is, like, seriously....helluva.... HOT." Jessica fanned herself with a hand.
"I know."
"Of all the conceited, full-of-it, egotistical-"
"I'm so telling your boss about you...that she has a pervert on her payroll."
Yuri's headache began to lighten up. Was it the lemon-honey drink or was it Jessica Jung's presence and mega-cute disposition?
However, there was still this gnawing pain in her chest, her heart, to be exact.
Why oh why did I take on this blasted Jeju assignment?
On the other hand, Jessica was glad that Yuri's dark mood seemed to have lifted, seeing as how they bantered their way through the rest of their flight back to Seoul.
But then, she couldn't see beyond the seemingly cool façade, the despondency in Yuri's eyes that was being shielded by a pair of shades.
Nor did she have the super power of x-ray vision to see the images of the actress still looming in the photographer's head.
*tbc